Piedras Rojas + Altiplanic Lagoons and Salar de Atacama
Description
Toconao (Kunza Rincón perdido) enchants for its simplicity, calm of its people, special climate, beautiful architecture and crafts; We will visit the marginal area of the Salar de Atacama known as Laguna Chaxa located in Sector Soncor R.N.L. F. Later we headed towards the South East (Cordillera de los Andes) to settle in a Socaire Altiplanic Town, we visited its Church and learned about its agriculture. Once installed in the cordon of the Andes we headed approx. At 4200 masl to meet the Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons. These lagoons belong to the R. N. Los F., characterized by volcanoes and mountainous reliefs such as the Miscanti hill and the Meñiques volcano. Both lagoons are born from groundwater from melting ice. Continuing along the slopes of the South Andes we head to the Salar de Talar Touristically known as Piedras Rojas, where the rocks are subjected to natural oxidation and weathering.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit the Town of Toconao, crafts, square, church
Los Flamencos National Reserve is located in the commune of San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region in northern Chile. The reserve covers a total area of 740 km
Stop on the Tropic of Capricorn route. The Tropic of Capricorn is one of the five major circles of latitude marked on maps of the Earth.
Visit to the Lagunas Miscanti and Meñiques National Reserve
Visit to the Village of Socaire
Trekking of approx 1 Hrs
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Minimum 12 years (Policies of our agency)
- Maximum age 75 years (Policies of our agency)
- Pregnant (Policies of our agency)
- Does NOT include entrance ticket to sites or places to visit... the tourist pays directly there.
Reviews(263)
We took 4 tours with Whipala. The driving on narrow and sometimes complex roads was responsible. The guides showed preparation and knowledge. The breakfast included fresh and quality ingredients. I recommend them; it is clear that they know what they are doing.
At the end of the tour our eyes are full of stunning images. Also, Manuel explained us what we're going to see letting us understand what the nature created and how. At the end we had a tasty lunch in Toconao. Experience recommended!
Without a doubt, it was the best of the desert, far surpassing the Valley of the Moon or Mars. We have not yet gone to the geysers. It is advisable to do it with a rented car; the route is fully paved up to Red Stones (although there are some areas with potholes) and is only dirt road to reach the lagoons. Unmissable!
It is one of the "must see" attractions in Atacama, however, was with a greater expectation than I found there. We did the tour without agency, the road is great and the information on the site is accurate. However, considering that it is a destination that lives from tourism, the life of the tourist is not facilitated. You have to buy the ticket on the website in advance and book the visit time. Then you have to check in at Soccaire 1h before the time you bought the ticket. There they show you a "map" on a table and take science from the distance to the attractions and what you can see along the way, you must also inform the plaque of your vehicle. The expectation is only increasing. Here you arrive in Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur - Piedras Rojas. The arrival of the road is beautiful, has even a mirror. You park the car and already approached by a park guard, he takes your ticket he directs the path to go and go. There are bathrooms at the entrance of this attraction. Protect yourself, the wind is ugly, on the day we visited was 70km/h according to the guard parks and the access was back and forth by the same trail because of this. I mean, it was extremely uncomfortable. Although we were upset, we felt cold, with no desire to take off the gloves to take the photos. We arrived at the "red stones" in a walk of about 20 minutes, there is no difficulty in it, except for altitude if you are not acclimatized and then it is just contemplation. It's pretty, but we don't consider it an UAUUU. Our ticket was with this attraction first and then Lagunas Miscanti and Miniques. You take the road again, returning to Soccaire and entering the access to these Lagunas. Once again you present the ticket at the entrance and is presented to the "map" of the attraction and park rules. You drive to the mirrors of the lagoons, observe the landscape and return to San Pedro. It is beautiful, worth the visit, but for us it was not something that marked us. TIP: It is on this road that has the TRÓPICO DE CAPRICÓRNIO plaque that everyone stops to take a photo, but only has one plaque and is in the direction of the return to San Pedro de Atacama, approximately 67 km away from San Pedro. Be careful if you amend other attractions on this tour.
Excellent, super friendly guide and technically very knowledgeable.
Our tour guide was Javier. He knew a lot about the Atacama Desert, the animals, and had good local recommendations. Very good people! The experience was very complete, including breakfast and lunch. They will finish very tired and happy with the tour.
I’ve been on many tours in many countries. Manuel was the best tour guide we have ever had! He was incredibly kind and helpful. You can tell he truly loves his country and has a passion for San Pedro de Atacama itself. He truly cares about his customers and wants them to have the best, authentic experience! Additionally, I did many tours while in San Pedro and this tour was my favorite! The nature and scenery is unearthly beautiful and pictures do not do this place justice!
We would give 6 stars if we could! We absolutely loved this tour and our tour guide Manuel. The tour was timed out perfectly and Manuel was very knowledgeable and engaging. Plus, all of the locations were absolutely gorgeous. We’d definitely recommend this tour!
Everything was excellent; the guide was very knowledgeable about the topic, the driving, the friendliness, and the breakfast was delicious in the Tropic of Capricorn 🫶🏼 and the lunch in Toconao. The landscapes of this tour are beautiful. I recommend.
Excellent..from the attendance in the workshop, transportation and attention and knowledge of the guide, in particular
